Marshall installed as inaugural James W. and Jean L. Davis Professor

Fiona Marshall, PhD, an archaeologist in the Department of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis specializing in the study of early food production in Africa and in animal domestication, was installed as the inaugural James W. and Jean L. Davis Professor. The ceremony was held Feb. 10 in Holmes Lounge.

The professorship is named in tribute to the lifelong contributions of the Davises to Washington University. Jim Davis taught and served in the administration for nearly five decades; Jean Davis has been actively involved in organizations serving the university.

“With this designation, I am proud to honor three individuals who represent the best of what Washington University offers,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said. “Fiona Marshall, and Jean and Jim Davis, embody the teaching, research and service mission of the university and have made our institution the better for it.”

“Fiona is an exemplary scholar at Washington University,” said Barbara Schaal, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and the Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor. “Her research is groundbreaking and she continues to inspire students with her passion.”